How to find out what telephone number is?

travel_freak

Hi there,

Does anyone know, please, how you can find out what a telephone number is for a flat you've just bought? There is a telephone box thingy on the wall but I have no idea who the telephone supplier is or what the number is and then how to get the line set up?

Also there is a satellite dish on the wall outside - I don't know anything about these, can any one suggest how I can find out if it's working, who supplied it, etc?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards,

Heinz

Does the telephone socket have a BT logo on it?

The socket is probably 'dead' but it's always worthwhile plugging in a phone to see if there's still a dial tone. If there is, dialling 17070 will trigger an announcement, "This circuit is identified as ......"

If that works, call BT to arrange transfer of the line to yourself. If it doesn't work, make the same call - BT have good records and will probably be able to identify the line anyway and tell you if reconnection will be free or not.

I think I need a new line, how can I check for sure?

To find out if your property has previously had a BT line, look for a white phone socket with a BT logo, usually found on a wall.

If you can't find one, and are not aware of the previous owners having a BT line, you are likely to need a new line. Please be aware that similar phone sockets may have been provided by a supplier other than BT. Sometimes even where a socket exists it may not necessarily be evidence that the property was previously served by BT.

If you are unsure, phone us on 0800 800 150 (Monday to Saturday 08:00 - 20:00) and we will be able to look at our records for your property and confirm if a new line is required.

If the satellite dish is one of the small oval type, it's probably a Sky digital one. The only way to 'test' it is to connect a satellite receiver to it but, if you're considering getting Sky TV, you can get a free box and installation anyway - so it doesn't really matter whether it works or not.

travel_freak

Hello Heinz

Thanks so much for your helpful reply. I'll take a spare phone over there to test the line and follow your other suggestions.

Thanks again,

Regards,

thefirs

If the above approach still doesn't work, look them up in a local phone book (even worth a trip to your local library if not available on site) and see if there's an entry under the name of the previous owner.

ioscorpio

Try looking on https://www.bt.com to find a number under the previous owners name

bbb_uk

The 17070 will also not work if the number is withheld so it's best to try 1470 17070 instead.

If that still doesn't work then its unlikely it's a BT line.